US-based business analytics and software firm SAS is to create 94 new jobs in Scotland, expanding its existing operations in East Kilbride.

The company said it plans to open a new laboratory and expand its research and development unit at East Kilbride over the next four years.

SAS said a £1.3 million support package from Scottish Development International (SDI) will also safeguard the jobs of 126 staff already based at its East Kilbride plant.

This latest jobs announcement follows an announcement earlier in the week US life sciences firm Daktari Diagnostics is to create up to 126 posts basing a new manufacturing facility in Inverness.

First Minister Alex Salmond has met with senior SAS and Daktari Diagnostics representatives as part of his Scotland Week programme of business meetings.

Salmond is attending a number of economic and business events in New York and Washington with a view to increasing exports, investment and employment.

The trade mission, run by SDI, which operates as a partnership between the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, will also visit Toronto in Canada next week.

Commenting on the latest SAS jobs announcement, Salmond said: "The new facility will position Scotland as an international centre of excellence for big data analytics and will create a substantial number of highly-skilled, high-value jobs.

"Scotland offers international companies a well-educated and trained workforce, competitive infrastructure and supportive government agencies, and this investment by SAS is a terrific example of how that international reputation pays off."

Mikael Hagstrom, SAS executive vice-president for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific (AP), said: "We're proud to be building on our existing operations in Scotland.

“We established our global research and development team to create business applications which will help modernise law enforcement, improve public safety and enhance national security.

"The initial investments allowed SAS to see the real Scottish potential with access to the excellent pool of talent from Scottish universities and its strong culture of innovation. Our plans for the new SAS facility further underline our commitment to investing in Scotland."

The US is a "key economic priority" for Scotland, according to the First Minister, who said America is the strongest export market for Scotland.

Scotland gains more foreign direct investment (FDI) than any other part of the UK towards creating jobs, according to the Ernst and Young 2012 Attractiveness Survey.

The report compares jobs created across the 12 nations and regions of the UK and placed Scotland at the top of the pile last year as well for FDI.

In 2011, almost 6,000 jobs were created in Scotland, 50 per cent more than 2010, according to the survey.